State Historical Society of Iowa

Language Proclamation Concern Letter, June 6, 1918

    Download Image Resource

Letter from Pastor Gavert to Governor Harding pleading for the church service to be spoken in their native language.
Courtesy of State Historical Society of Iowa, 6 June 1918

Description

This is a letter from Pastor Gavert to Governor William Harding pleading for church services to be spoken in their native language, which would go against Gov. Harding's proclamation that states, "Only English was legal in public or private schools, in public conversations, on trains, over the telephone, at all meetings and in all religious services.”

Transcript of the Language Proclamation Concern Letter

Source-Dependent Question

  • Would you agree or disagree with Pastor Gavert’s plea to the governor? What evidence would you use to support your answer?